The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest attack submarine USS North Dakota
(SSN 784), during a ceremony Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Submarine Base
New London in Groton, Connecticut. USS North Dakota is the first of
eight new Virginia Class Block III ships.

Approximately 20 percent of North Dakota was redesigned as part of the
Virginia Cost Reduction work done to lower acquisition cost and increase
operational flexibility. The changes include a ship's bow redesign,
replacing 12 individual launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia
Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk Cruise Missiles.
Image: GDEB

North
Dakota, designated SSN 784, honors the state's citizens and veterans
and their strong military support and heritage from the Frontier Wars
through the Cold War and currently the Global War on Terrorism. Seventeen
North Dakotans have received the Medal of Honor for actions in combat.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 18, 2014) The PCU North Dakota (SSN 784) during
bravo sea trials. The crew performed exceptionally well on both alpha
and bravo sea trials. The submarine North Dakota is the 11th ship of
the Virginia class, the first U.S. Navy combatants designed for the
post-Cold War era. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)

North
Dakota is the second ship named in honor of North Dakota, and will be
the 11th Virginia-class submarine.

Next-generation attack submarines provide the Navy with the capabilities
required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st
century. They have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities
and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's
multi-mission requirements.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 18, 2014) The PCU North Dakota (SSN 784) during bravo
sea trials. The crew performed exceptionally well on both alpha and bravo
sea trials. The submarine North Dakota is the 11th ship of the Virginia
class, the first U.S. Navy combatants designed for the post-Cold War era.
(U.S. Navy Photo/Released)

North
Dakota has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate
Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of
land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions
include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; special forces delivery
and support; and mine delivery and minefield mapping.

Virginia-class submarines are 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length,
have a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged.
They are built with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during
the planned life of the ship reducing lifecycle costs while increasing
underway time.

Virginia-class submarines
are built to dominate the world's littoral and deep waters while conducting
Anti-Submarine; Anti-Surface Ship; Strike; Special Operation Forces; Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; Irregular Warfare; and Mine Warfare
missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, firepower, and sensor suite
directly enable them to support five of the six Maritime Strategy Core
Capabilities - Sea Control, Power Projection, Forward Presence, Maritime
Security, and Deterrence.